COLLEGE PARK, Md. – More than 5,000 incoming freshman piled into Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium Thursday night as Maryland Athletics presented “Welcome to the B1G Show” hosted by RHA President Sree Sinha and track & field captain Pat Cole.

Celebrating the Terrapins’ move to the Big Ten Conference this season, the event marked the official kickoff to the athletics season at Maryland. The program featured instructions of athletic traditions with the help of the Mighty Sound of Maryland, Maryland cheerleading and the Maryland dance team.

“Our athletics staff put on a tremendous show for the Maryland Class of 2018 last night,” said Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson. “Our incoming students already have an outstanding amount of Maryland Pride and we cannot wait to display their enthusiasm in the Big Ten Conference this season.”

Greeted by Maryland men’s basketball players at the gates of the stadium, students learned the Maryland Victory Song and Alma Mater, in addition to taking part in their first unveiling of the giant Maryland flag down the student section.

Members of Coach Randy Edsall’s Leadership Council from the football team, including Matt Robinson and Deon Long, thanked the crowd for their support and acknowledged the difference they make on gameday. The council also led a rendition of the “Seven Nation Army” chant that reverberated throughout the stands.

“We are so pumped to be the first freshmen class at Maryland to enter the Big Ten Conference,” said freshman Andrew Hwang. “It was really awesome to get a picture with Jake Layman and see the basketball and football teams having fun with the rest of us. It was a pretty good start as a Terp!”

Students were treated to giveaways, inflatables, a rock wall and a photo booth in the stadium concourse, and heard from the Football Leadership Team, deputy athletic director Kelly Mehrtens and SAAC President Dani Kram.

The program was capped off with a Class of 2018 photo on Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium in the shape of an “M.”